I need some advice on buying a '02 Acura TL-S or a '97 BMW 328i
 

Sorry if I am trolling. I have posted numerous threads on Revscene asking for opinions about what cars to buy. I still haven't found the car I like after much searching. Currently, I am interested in two cars, one is a 2002 Acura TL Type S with 90,000 Km and the other is a 1997 BMW 328i with 120,000 Km. The 2002 Acura TL Type S has been in two accidents, one with a $2100 claim and one with a $1800 claim. The 1997 BMW 328i has not been in any accidents. Which of the aforementioned cars should I buy? and Why? Is the 1997 BMW 328i more expensive to maintain than a 2002 Acura TL Type S? Could regular gas be used in either of the aforementioned cars? Which of the aforementioned cars are more fun to drive? Which of the aforementioned cars have a better ride? Could regular maintainence be performed easily on either of the aforementioned cars by a DIYer or a mechanic? How much money should I expect to pay for either aforementioned car's maintainance each year? How is the fuel economy on either of the aforementioned cars? Is it a better idea maintainance wise to save money to buy a replacement transmission for a 2002 Acura TL Type S if its transmission fails or use the money to maintain a 1997 BMW 328i? (Which of these transmission replacement/maintainance is worth it?)

First off, you should make use of paragraphs.

Secondly, I think you should take both cars on a test drive. See which one you enjoy driving more. I haven't driven the 97 328i before, but the TL S is awesome. Not to mention, it's 5 years newer than the 328i. Before you buy either car, you should still get it inspected by a mechanic and get a ICBC history report on it (since you're wary about the accidents).

For all other questions, lets just hope someone wants to read that big blob of text and answer each one, because I sure didn't!

woo this one is a toughy

my dad has a 97 328 as well and its been pretty reliable to him... if your planning to keep the car until it dies .. and the TL-s checks out .. i'd probably bet on that to be more reliable in the long run

but in the end you still need to test drive both to see which gives you a better feel

props to those who actually read his post.

that gen tl type-s auto tranny is notorious for problems.......google

ctrl + f + aforementioned = 7hits lol. and everything makes sense even without that word

+1. Internal tranny problems galore.

i know the TL-S needs min. 91 octane and horrible transmissions. Last time i checked the tranny were a $1500 and up to rebuild and they were still not that reliable. Engine is solid along with everything else. Gas mileage is about 9-12L/100km and you still get over 200hp to the wheels. The car's pretty quick, comfortable and very nice to drive, but the main reason i didn't buy one was because of the transmission problems.

i instead bought a 03 CL-S 6spd. The 2 door version and a manual transmission thats bullet proof.

I don't know a lot about the BMW but it would not be too much more to maintain or drive and the inline 6 engines run forever if maintained poroperly. Gas mileage might be worse due to being an older vehicle and there might be more parts that are worn out due to age.

^
my buddy had a 03 cl-s auto. over 200km's and it still pulled strong! but the tranny did need to be replaced.

p.s. USE PARAGRAPHS

as said above, its been documented many times that even after your rebuild ur tranny after it screws-the-pooch, it still is gonna fuck up again in the next few years...there is officially no way to fix the problem.

but the tl type-s aspec is sexy :P.......as long as your okay with fixing a tranny ever 3-5 years

the 328i uses 89octane, and i would say its more fun to drive than the TL.

i never knew about the TL's tranny problems till i came into this thread... so that for a lot of people could be a dealbreaker. otherwise, its a newer car with lower mileage, so i would have said go with that. the 328 has its share of problems that you'll have to make sure yours doesnt exhibit.

i drive an e36 as well

I thought this thread looked familiar... i think this guys off his meds or something

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ESL guy making full use of his new vocabulary "aforementioned" learned in class.

My recommendation head over to Richmond auto mall and test out a buch of used vehicles.. Then you will know what you want.

As a lot of guys mentioned, the automatic transmission is the thing to look out for in the TL. I've got the AT in my '02 CL and it's starting to give me troubles... a rebuild is going to run me around $2000. Wish I had the 6spd MT like the CL-S in '03....

I can't say I've driven a TL-S or an E36, but I can compare my CL to a few E46s that I've driven. To be completely honest, I'd keep the CL over a bimmer. I prefer the Acura's interior in terms of comfort, for one.

joe45?

If you do want an E36, take a look at this post.

Make sure the car has receipts, receipts, and reciepts.

Did I mention receipts?

Inspection I & Inspection II services completed.

Have a pre-purchase inspection done. Areas of common issue is the on-board computer with dead pixels. BMW is gay for this across all their cars.

kthxbye